Yay new chapter! I included Hitsugaya since BellaLuz64 requested his appearance. And hopefully i can write more about him in the following chapters:)

As usual, I would like to thank everyone who reviewed, added my stroy to their favourites list/story alert. r/r.

Disclaimer: I do not own bleach.

Skye

I dragged my tired body around the division to find Byakuya. I was on duty the entire night, without rest, and I felt as though I would collapse any second. I came to a halt as I felt my head bump into someone.

"Watch where you are going, Skye."

I rubbed my eyes and mumbled, "Sorry. Renji, where's Byakuya? I can't find him in the office."

No response. When did Renji give me the silent treatment? I grabbed his wrists to steady myself. "Renji, I'm asking you a –"

I found myself staring at a white haori. Then I looked up. A lump formed in my throat. This person is not Renji at all.

"Ah, Byakuya taicho! I'm sorry for not recognizing you!" I looked at my hands and immediately pulled them back to my side. "And I'm sorry for touching you! I didn't mean to! Please forgive me."

How can I be so stupid to think that he's Renji? No wait…he called me Skye. He called my Skye, that's why I thought it was Renji! I looked at him and tilted the corners of my lips. There, in his eyes, I can see his pupils dancing, amused at what I did.

"What do you need me for?"

"I'm just asking whether I could have a rest. I'm…" I yawned. "I'm tired."

"You don't need to ask me such trivial things."

I raised my eyebrows. "It's a yes then?"

Before Byakuya could answer, Gin appeared out of no where. "Skye chan!"

"Gin?"

"It's a pleasure to see ya! An' of course, Byakuya, how nice ta see ya here!"

"Good day to you, Ichimaru. Please refrain from being intimidate in public, Skye." Byakuya glanced at me. "He's a captain, you are to address him accordingly."

I guess I can't change his mind. "Forgive my rudeness, Ichimaru taicho." I said mockingly. "What business do you have in the 6th division?"

"I'm finding ya."

I kept a straight face despite my curiosity. "And what do you need from me?"

"Three boxes 'f dried persimmons. Ya promised."

Oh shit. Now? Byakuya is right here!

"What do you mean, Ichimaru?" Byakuya interrupted our conversation.

I intercrossed my index fingers, trying to indicate to Ichimaru not to say anything about my visit.

"Ah, din't ya know? Skye chan promised ta give meh dried persimmons in return fer my favor to allow her ta visit Rukia chan!" Ichimaru gladly replied without taking any notice of me.

I slumped my shoulders. There goes my sleep.

"You gave her permission to visit Rukia?" Byakuya confirmed.

Ichimaru shrugged. "Yep. No point refusing my lil' Skye chan!"

Byakuya turned to gave me a hard stare. "I see. If you'll excuse me, I have some important matters to discuss with Skye. Go to my office now."

As I walked past Ichimaru, I glared at him. I'll never speak to him again. He haven't changed one bit. He still enjoy watching others suffer. He's such a sadist! Grrr… He just grinned at me and whispered in my ear again. "Din't mean ta get ya into any trouble. Sorry."

Byakuya

I looked outside my window. It's been a long time since I saw cherry blossoms. I signed. It really helps to calm me down, especially in such situations, where individuals do not obey my commands. However, what surprised me was the fact that I'm not as angry as I thought I would be. Was it because the person who broke the rule was Skye? Or was it because Rukia was involved?

I decided to call her Skye after her confession. I might have crossed the line yesterday, she was really upset that I insulted her "special somebody". I may somewhat understand her anger; I wouldn't forgive anyone who insult my wife either.

Ever since Skye arrived, I wasn't as composed as I had been. I actually tried to interact with her; to know her, and did not even punish her when she showed disrespect. I even thought I saw Yoruichi yesterday, when all that was there was a black cat.

From the corners of my eyes, I saw Skye standing with her back against the door. I was too lost in thoughts and didn't even notice her waiting for me to speak all these time.

I turned to face her. "Explain." I took note of her form flinching as I spoke. She seemed...almost scared.

"There is nothing to explain." Skye pushed back her shoulders as she replied, trying to put on a brave front. She is just too…predictable. One need years to master the art of hiding emotions. I can read her like an open book.

"Come closer." I motioned her. She looked reluctant to move at first, but after a while, she finally leaned away from the door and stepped forward, but now moving unconsciously to the right, where the book shelves are.

I raised my eyebrows. "Are you afraid of me?"

She gasped, not expecting my question. "I…of course not, Byakuya taicho."

"Then why are you hiding in the shadows?"

This time, she looked down at her feet, not responding. "Come closer." I repeated. I feel a pang in my heart when I realized she is actually afraid of me. I didn't want her to be afraid.

"We can have a perfectly fine conversation standing like that. And I am not afraid of you, taicho. I just prefer to stand here. It's not against the rules, is it?"

I closed my eyes, registering her words. It takes more than that to convince me. "No, it's not against the rules. However, since you do not wish to move," I flash stepped right in front of her, "then I will."

My shadows blocked the light away from her, but I can still see her grabbing her hakama nervously. I didn't say anything, and she didn't press me on.

However, not long after, impatience crept over me. I cleared my throat. "Would you explain why you asked Ichimaru taicho to assist you in visiting Rukia?"

"You would not allow me to see her." She spoke in a small voice.

I stared at her again. Her fringe covering her left eye swayed as a gush of wind blew by. One moment it is black, shadowed by the darkness around her, and the next moment its dark purple again. I fought to control the urge to reach out and touch her soft, smooth hair.

"Byakuya taicho, I'm fully aware of my mistakes, and I apologize for my misconduct. So why don't you just tell me my punishment and get this over with?"

I instantly pushed her against the book shelves, with one hand pressing the wood and the other lifting her chin. I leaned in until I can feel her ragged breath near my lips. "Do you desire to be punished by me?"

Her breathing becomes more and more erratic. "No. But won't you punish me?" she whispered back.

All I can think about at this moment is how good her heated breath feels on my lips. So close. We are so close. "I never said that I would punish you." I said huskily.

Her brown eyes flashed with excitement for a second. "Tell me, are you blushing?"

She gasped and tried to hide her face, but I applied enough force on her chin to let her know that I would not allow her to pull away from me.

"No. Of course not, Byakuya taicho." I caught her hands clutching the bookshelf from the corner of my eyes. Her knuckles were white from her tight grip.

"Do you intend to lie to your captain?" I moved even closer to her, intoxicated by her smell. Closer. Just a bit more…

We fit perfectly. I pressed harder onto her lips, but not moving. Her eyes widened and her hands removed themselves from the bookshelf almost instantly and grabbed my haori, pulling me closer.

"What are you doing to me?" She broke the fragile link between us.

I moved both of my hand around her and hugged her tightly. Closing my eyes, I allow myself to be buried in her hair. "Mmm…You smell like jasmine."

Immediately, I feel her body stiff against me. Before I knew it, she pushed me away from her. Her actions brought my senses back to me. No longer clouded by the desire to touch her, I realized what I've done.

Skye

I feel so save with him. One minute I was terrified by his presence, and the next I am resting rather comfortably in his arms. I want us to stay like this, forever.

"Mmm…You smell like jasmine."

This seemingly innocent sentence brought me back to reality. Gathering as much strength as possible, I pushed Byakuya away from me, disgusted by both our actions. I looked at him piercingly. Byakuya seemed as shock as me, but I'm not planning on forgiving him just because we're on the same boat.

"I apologize for my indecent actions just now. I would ask of you to forget about this. Now, if you'll excuse me, Byakuya taicho, I need to be on a look out for the ryoka."

With that, I turned and left, saving him the embarrassment of explaining what he did.

Byakuya

Forget about this. Forget? Did she think that she can forget about this just like that? I touched my lips. The kiss was too brief and short for me to taste her. I shook my head in disbelief. How could I still think of her?

I tried to think of something else. Right. Hisana.; How could I be intimidate with other woman when I love my wife? How could she be intimidate with me when she had Ichimaru? My eyes flashed with anger as I was reminded of Ichimaru and Skye together.

I signed. I can't afford to be disorganized and unfocused when Seireitei is being attacked. I pushed the incident to the back of my head. When I see Skye again, we have nothing, absolutely nothing, but a captain and subordinate relationship.

Skye

I yawned. So much had happened that I forgot about my sleepiness. Oh well. Now I only have two things to do. One, find Renji. Two, make sure that the ryoka are alive and well.

Just then, I felt an overpowering release of reiatsu. That's almost captain level, except I never sensed that reiatsu before. Is it those ryokas? I grabbed my zanpakuto for support. If this is the power of the intruders, then Rukia has nothing to worry about. I smirked inwardly as I flash stepped there to confirm my theory.

"Rukia!"

That sounds like Renji. I hid behind a building to get a better idea of what is happening before I make my appearance. I was surprised to see Renji in such a disheveled state. He was holding a broken zanpakuto; his sunglasses in pieces and his red hair were all over his face. I fought back the urge to rush forward and save him.

Suddenly, Renji grabbed Ichigo and said, "I never won a fight against Byakuya before in my life, no matter how much I trained. Please. Save Rukia."

"I will." That's when I noticed the ryoka. He was in the same state as Renji, and he has bright orange hair. Ichigo!

I continued looking as both of them fell to the ground. I considered helping Renji and Ichigo, but sensed someone else arriving as well. I did not stop Hanataro and the other ryoka from running away with Ichigo. So even Hanataro is helping. I looked down at myself in dismay. I claim to be Rukia's friend, but I'm not doing anything to stop the execution.

I walked over to Renji as Hanataro disappeared from my sights.

"Skye chan, you are here as well. How is Abarai futaicho?"

"Kira kun!" I glanced at him. "I'm afraid he's heavily injured. We need to put him on a stretcher."

~ Some time later ~

"How can this be!" Hinamori wailed as she saw Renji. "He's…"

I bent down and examined Renji's wounds. The cut on his chest is deep and fatal, but apart from that, the other wounds are not so critical. He should survive. My hands were filled with his blood as I touched him. I put on a strong façade, but inside, I am really disgusted by the blood. This scene, it reminds me of Kara. Of how she was dying and I could do nothing to save her.

"There's no need. Throw him in jail." I jolted from my position. Byakuya! Why is he here? I don't want to see him. Yet.

"I don't want excuses. Since he was fighting alone, there's no reason that he should have lost. I don't want an idiot who can't even understand this. He's just getting in the way." Byakuya retorted to Hinamori's pleas.

He looked at me expectantly, daring me to refute him. Anger was boiling in my stomach, but I'm still not ready to face him. "I understand. I shall bring him to the 6th division holding cell."

Byakuya didn't respond, but I know that he's surprised.

"Skye chan, how could you…"

"Hinamori, nevermind. I'm sorry, Byakuya taicho." Kira pulled Hinamori to a bow.

"I'm sorry too." Hinamori mumbled unwillingly.

When Byakuya left, Hinamori continued. "Skye chan! He's your futaicho! I didn't know you were like this! I mean, you are not the warm type, but I never questioned your integrity."

"I'm doing what is best for everyone."

"Oh so scary!" I didn't look up as I recognize that voice anywhere. Ichimaru. He dares to come so close to me even after what he did. He's not fit to become a taicho! I almost uttered out the sentence. "He actually said those words! The 6th division captain is as scary as usual."

"You actually have the nerve to come up here after what you did to me this morning?" I gritted through my teeth.

"Skye chan, when did ya get as scary as him?" Ichimaru's smile spread even more when he directed his speech at me. "So ya got into any trouble? I coulda help ya talk to him, ya know."

I remembered to breathe. Right now, Renji is more important. "Ichimaru taicho, would you kindly take Renji to the 4th division?"

He chuckled. "So ya playing hard to get now. Don't worry, I'll help ya contact the 4th division. Come, with meh, Kira."

Now there's only Hinamori and me. I wasn't particularly comfortable with Hinamori, maybe because she looked like the type who breaks down easily. I just don't know how to deal with these type of people, so it's best if I'm not too close to her.

"Hinamori futaicho, I know you are worried about Renji, but rest assured that I will take care of him." I said as I stood up. She nodded her head, but doesn't look convinced by my sincerity.

"Owah! How did Abarai get beaten so bad?"

"Wah? Hitsugaya kun?"

"I told you, I'm a captain now, you shouldn't address me like that."

I waited for both of them to calm down. These two, they always start or end a conversation like this. That's so Taeda. I said to myself as I watched Hitsugaya arguing with Hinamori.

"So, why are you here, Hitsugaya kun?" Hinamori finally got back on track.

I cleared my throat. "You didn't bring your vice captain." I stated.

He glanced at me before turning serious. "I'm here to give some advice. You have to watch out for the third division."

"What? Kira kun? Why?" Hinamori asked.

"I'm talking about Ichimaru, but beware of Kira as well. Anyway, it's not gonna hurt you to keep an eye on them."

Now its my turn to be surprised. "Ichimaru?" I unconsciously questioned out loud.

Taking note of my presence, Hitsugaya replied, "Yes. Hinamori, just watch out. I need to talk to you, Skye." He glanced at Hinamori. Automatically, she said goodbye to us and left.

"The next time you catch her alone, you're going to tell her to watch out for me too, right?" I'm not stupid.

Hitsugaya leaned against the wall and paused at my bluntness. "Yes, yes I will, if I find you suspicious."

"There is no ifs. You find Gin suspicious, and being a close friend of his, you'll find me suspicious as well."

He silently acknowledged my theories. "Hitsugaya taicho, what did Gin do?" I continued.

"Ichimaru taicho." He corrected me. "It's what he haven't do. But he's planning something, I know it."

"Well, even if he's plotting something, he didn't take the honor to tell me." I declared my innocence on this matter.

"No one will say that they are guilty." He stepped in front of me. Wow, he's really short. "I will believe you for now. But if you dare to hurt Hinamori, I will not hesitate to stop you."

I smirked. "What?" He asked, irritated by my reaction.

"You are so protective." I stated as I tried to keep my face as serious as possible.

Hitsugaya blushed. "I..."

"That's good." My smile turned sad. "Don't get too carried away with protecting her. Hinamori needs you too. Alive." I emphasized the last word.

I walked away, ready to leave. There's still the ryokas. And I need to find Ichigo, quick. Heck, I needed rest too. Maybe I should eat something first. I haven't eaten since last night.

"You are still thinking of that Taeda guy, aren't you?"

I stopped on my track when Hitsugaya spoke that name. He still remembered what I said on our first encounter. "Excuse me?" I half wanted to tell him not to pry on others' business, but decided against it.

"He's dead, isn't he?"

I barely managed to hide my shock. For the first time in years, someone actually said that. The truth. The truth that even after so many years, I refused to believe. Weirdly, Hitsugaya's words brought some comfort to me. "Does it matter?" I whispered.

Despite the height difference, he put his hands on either side of my shoulders and shook me. "Wake up. Stop living in the past. Open your eyes. Whoever he is in the past, he's gone. You are a shinigami now, and you work for soul society. You need to be strong!"

His voice rang in my ears. "I know." I pulled his hands off me.

"I remind you of him for some reason." Hitsugaya said. It's a statement, not a question.

I'm utterly speechless. What am I supposed to say? "You don't know, or else you won't be acting like that. One minute happy; angry; full of emotions, and the next you are cold; calm; void of those emotions." He forced his words onto me again. "Yes, most people can see by now your 'double personality'."

I haven't returned from the shock. That is by far the longest conversation Hitsugaya had with me. By the time I recovered, he was already at the door. "Thank you. For reminding me that love comes in both ways."

I looked at his white hair, glistening in the Sun. "Oh, and please take good care of Abarai, as you promised Hinamori."

Review please! I hope to get more reviews and more suggestions on how to improve as well. I hope everyone has an enjoyable time reading this chapter and I promise next chapter will be longer! =.=